Trans-sclera portal for delivery of therapeutic agents

Abstract

A portal through the sclera for delivery of an effective amount of therapeutic agent to the back of the eye.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . An implantable shunt for delivery of an ophthalmic therapeutic agent into an eye, comprising a swell loadable polymeric ocular insert with a micron scale tab that, when inserted into the eye, is configured to extend through the sclera as an external mass transport channel. 
     
     
         12 . The shunt of  claim 11 , wherein the polymer is a hydrogel. 
     
     
         13 . The shunt of  claim 11 , wherein the therapeutic agent includes a drug and/or stem cells. 
     
     
         14 . The shunt of  claim 11 , wherein the hydrogel is impregnated with therapeutic agent-carrying nanoparticles. 
     
     
         15 . The shunt of  claim 11 , wherein the tab acts as a wick to deliver the agent from the insert into the intravitreal space. 
     
     
         16 . The shunt of  claim 11 , wherein the insert is reloadable with a fresh aqueous solution containing the therapeutic agent. 
     
     
         17 . The shunt of  claim 11 , wherein the insert is a two-ended strand with a diameter between about 100 nanometers and about 2 micrometers, wherein one end of the strand provides a wicking window into the sclera. 
     
     
         18 . The shunt of  claim 11 , wherein at least a portion of the insert is formed of at least one of PEG, Poloxamer F127, functionalized PEG, PVA, HEMA, silicon gel, PVP, GAG, PAA, CMC, CPMC, HPMA hyaluronic acid, sodium alginate, and PolyMPC. 
     
     
         19 . The shunt of  claim 11 , wherein the insert is operable to release the therapeutic agent when activated by a stimulus applied to a sensitivity of the insert. 
     
     
         20 . The shunt of  claim 19 , wherein the insert is sensitive to at least one of electroactivity, pH level, temperature, pressure, light, and enzyme catalysis. 
     
     
         21 . A system for delivery of an effective amount of a therapeutic agent to the back of an eye, comprising:
 a swell loadable polymeric ocular insert with a micron scale tab that, when inserted into the eye, extends through the sclera as an external mass transport channel and presents a wicking window into the sclera; and   a drug-delivering contact lens that covers the insert when worn, the contact lens having a lens body formed of a block copolymer with a periodic nanostructure of therapeutic agent-miscible domains interspersed among a hydrogel matrix and impregnated with a therapeutic agent.   
     
     
         22 - 46 . (canceled)